New member spotlight
Location: Manchester, UK
Job Title: Wind-Tunnel Project Supervisor
What inspired you into aerospace?
A few things, I was quite in awe of Concorde and Apollo when I was very young. Trying to understand how you design an aircraft to safely fly at such high speed was fascinating and I wanted to be part of that. I then made it my goal to understand the physics and found it exciting enough to want to become an engineer.
One of the other memories was watching the film Apollo 13 for the first time and seeing the pivotal role that the ground engineers and flight controllers played in safely getting them home. The now iconic CO2 2 canister scene sums up engineering very well. How do you solve a problem with what you have to hand?
What is the best thing about your current role?
I feel lucky to work on the high-speed wind tunnel. It’s a unique Mach 3.8 capable facility within the UK and it is giving me an opportunity to apply flow diagnostic methods I have developed through my PhD research to solve new, real-world challenges. It’s exciting to be working with a team at the forefront of future aircraft development and testing. The dream of an aerospace engineer is to make something which flies and I get to work on that every day.
What made you join the Royal Aeronautical Society?
I joined the Society when I was part of the Air Cadets and I was looking at pursuing aerospace engineering as a degree. I knew that the Society could help me with career advice, online materials and lectures to support my learning and understanding. It also helped me to engage with and feel part of the wider engineering community.
What do you hope to get out of your membership?
I am hoping to further my professional development to full membership and chartership. I am wanting to play a part in the development of future engineers through giving talks, and increasing the diversity of the profession.
What three items would you take with you to the ISS?
Camera, music player and tea. What’s your favourite aircraft? It’s a tie between the English Electric Lightning and the North American X-15.
Piece of advice for someone looking to enter your field?
Engineering allows you to be daring and to solve challenges. It enables you to break down barriers of distance, knowledge and health to everyone. Removing these barriers and helping others is an implicit part of being an engineer. Anyone can be an engineer. If you like solving problems and helping others then go for it! If you need career advice, ask. Don’t be afraid to challenge ideas and conventions.
